S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky Dated

Set in 2011, one year before the events portrayed in S.T.A.L.K.E.R., Clear Sky will give gamers a look at the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone prior to the events of Strelok's journey to the center of the Zone. GSC Game World has said the environments in Clear Sky will be more hostile than those encountered in the original game, and will feature eight separate factions the player can join and advance through. The game has been slated for release on August 29.

"Our intention to deliver the game simultaneously worldwide is both a challenge and a big responsibility to the many fans of the game around the globe," said Sergiy Grygorovych, CEO of GSC Game World publishing division GSC World Publishing. "We are looking forward to achieve this ambitious goal in August."

"The topic of the release date for S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky has created a lot of interest among gamers, press and fans. We're pleased to announce an exact date for this highly anticipated game now," added Koch Media Managing Director Craig McNicol.

Along with the prequel setting, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky will offer strengthened AI, improvements to the game's interface and PDA, new weapons and monsters and significant amounts of new territory to explore, along with "twisted renditions" of areas previously seen in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.. More information is available at stalker-game.com.